Jeremiah 36:3 (HCSB)
Perhaps, when the house of Judah hears about all the disaster I am planning to bring on them, each one of them will turn from his evil way. Then I will forgive their wrongdoing and sin."
Judah did not repent. Nebuchadnezzar besieged and conquered Jerusalem. Many perished. Most were deported. Only those who had either escaped or were too weak to travel were left behind. God did this because His people refused to repent of their idolatry. He still had a plan for His people, but it was not carried out through this generation. In fact, seventy years past before the Jews returned to their homeland under Nehemiah and Ezra. A whole generation knew nothing but Babylonian slavery.
Hegel said, “God will forgive; after all, it is his business.”
He was a fool. God does forgive, but it is never without repentance.
Please understand that: God will not forgive deliberate sin without repentance. If we willfully disobey God, but refuse to repent, God does not forgive that sin.
I have had ladies say to me: “My husband is cheating on me. He refuses to stop seeing this other woman. Should I just forgive him?”
The answer is “No—not until he repents.” God does not forgive without repentance. He does not just look the other way and pretend everything is okay. He is very patient, but He does punish sin—even the sin of His own children.
But God will forgive—every time—if we turn away from our sin.
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